Blog

The CEREC System: Old School Service Meets State-of-the-Art Technology If you have ever dreaded the idea of visiting the dentist or have postponed scheduling dental work you knew you needed, you are not alone. Dental procedures have changed for the better, and at Hansen Dentistry in Apex, NC, we blend proven techniques with outstanding customer service.
Would you believe us if we told you that you could receive customized, natural looking crowns or bridges that fit perfectly, in a single office visit? Believe it! Dr. Rylan Hansen and provides custom dental crowns and bridges using the CEREC system: where old school service meets state-of-the-art technology.
What is CEREC?
CEREC stands for Chairside Economical Restoration ...

Cosmetic Dentistry for Better Confidence and SuccessIt’s nice to imagine a world where looks aren’t important, but we don’t live there, do we? The truth is, the majority of the population will initially judge us based on our appearance. The first attribute most people notice is the eyes, followed closely by the smile. Crooked, discolored, or missing teeth send the message that a person does not take good care of himself. An unattractive smile also conveys poor health and can make you look older than you are.
Fortunately, we live in the age of cosmetic dentistry, when a visit to Dr. Hansen’s Apex, NC dental office could ...

A Dentist for Every Member of the Family At Hansen Dentistry, we know that raising and caring for a healthy family is one of the most important things in life. That’s why we’ve made our practice a place that helps every member of your family have the best oral health possible. From the youngest to the oldest, you’ll find that we are your one-stop family dental care headquarters. As a family dentist, Dr. Rylan Hansen is trained in caring for teeth and gums at every stage of life. Visit our Apex, NC dental office to learn more about our services.
Children’s Dentistry
The key to keeping children’s teeth healthy is ...

Why We Changed our Name Hansen Dentistry recently changed its name to Hansen Dentistry and we wanted to share with you the reasons why! #1-We wanted to streamline and give you just one name to remember! Rather than having to remember your Dentist’s name and the practice name…now they are one in the same! #2-Let’s face it, while the meaning of the word “Renaissance” is strong and positive, no one knows how to spell it!! Ok, maybe not “no one” but for those of us who did not win our grade school spelling bee, it can be a little tricky and we wanted to well, streamline ...

What’s the Difference Between Plaque and Tarter?WE OFTEN GET THIS QUESTION from our patients, “What’s the difference between plaque and tartar?” Many patients think they are the same thing. However, there is an important difference between the two. Understanding how they are different can help explain why a daily oral hygiene routine is so crucial, as well as twice-yearly visits to your dentist. What Is Plaque?
Dental plaque is the soft, sticky film that builds up on your teeth and under your gums. It starts forming soon after you finish brushing. In other words, plaque is constantly accumulating on your teeth. And guess what? It contains millions of bacteria! When you eat—especially carbohydrates ...

Why Not to Ignore Cracked TeethHave you ever had dental pain or discomfort when biting into food or after eating/drinking something that is hot or cold? This pain or discomfort might not be constant like it is with a cavity, but intermittent. If so, it is possible you may have a cracked tooth.
There are several reasons that patients develop cracked teeth. Some situations that can result in fractured teeth are: teeth with large fillings teeth with root canals clenching or grinding teeth chewing ice or other hard foods trauma to the tooth from an accident too much pressure on one tooth as a result of the patient’s occlusion (the way the teeth come together in the mouth) If ...

Tips for a Healthy Back to School Smile It’s that time of year! Back to school!!! The time of year that Moms and Dads are found scratching their heads at Target trying to figure out whether the 3 prong, plastic, 2 pocket folders comes in 5 different colors so they can check it off the school supply list (There is always one item that makes buying the whole list in one trip impossible). We have been there!
Along with school supply shopping, it is also time to start thinking about what to pack in your child’s lunch. Among the seemingly endless options there are prepackaged lunches and individual serving sizes of chips and cookies. These foods are usually high in sugar, sodium, and fat and, while easy to ...

Do wisdom teeth need to be extracted?We have found that while many of our patients with wisdom teeth know that they should be extracted, very few of them understand why.
So here you go…A Little Wisdom about Wisdom Teeth.
There are several reasons your Apex Dentist might recommend having your third molars, also known as Wisdom teeth, extracted. Very few people have adequate space in their dental arch for wisdom teeth. If you are one of the lucky ones that does have enough room, be sure your toothbrush is reaching all the way back to those teeth, as they are often very difficult to keep clean. If/when 3rd molars develop cavities ...

Importance of Replacing Missing Teeth Everyday we see patients that have missing teeth. Sometimes they are teeth that have been recently extracted. Other times they have been missing for years. The reasons for why the teeth are missing vary. But the answers about why to replace them are usually the same. So we wanted to share these answers with you!
In the US, about 70% of the population is missing one or more teeth. Tooth loss can lead to reduced self confidence because of gaps in a person’s smile. Unfortunately, effects on physical appearance are not the only result.
Teeth are lost or missing for several reasons such as trauma, decay, periodontal disease, or even genetics. ...

Dental Sealants: FAQWhat is a sealant?
A sealant is a tooth-colored resin material that is placed on chewing surfaces of teeth to help them stay cavity-free. Why do teeth need sealants?
Molar and premolar teeth often have very deep pits and fissures. While bacteria can easily enters these groves, toothbrush bristles are often too large and therefore ineffective. As a result, these areas become the perfect breeding ground for bacteria to multiply which can lead to dental decay. A sealant does just what its name suggests…it seals off the grooves so that bacteria can’t enter. After a sealant is placed these areas can no longer harbor bacteria and your tooth brushing once again becomes effective. What teeth need sealants?
Any teeth that have deep groves ...

Four Things to Consider When Choosing a Dentist in Apex, NC Are you new in town or looking for a different dental experience? There are many dentists to choose from in the Apex Cary area and so sometimes it can be overwhelming as you try to find a good fit for you and your family. It is important to choose a dentist who you feel you can trust. Look for a dentist who…
1) Is an Active Listener
You should feel like your dentist gives you a customized dental experience. Not a one size fits all appointment. This can only be done if the dentist takes time to not only look in your mouth, but to listen to you. The dentist might be an expert ...

TRUE or FALSE: Sparkling water is bad for your teeth.We have been asked this question a lot lately, maybe because it is summer and people are looking for a cold refreshing alternative to water that is not soda or juice. I mean, who doesn’t love a Coconut La Croix every now and then!?! Unfortunately the answer is True.
The problem is that the CO2 that gives sparking water its fizziness is converted to carbonic acid in your mouth. This acid lowers the pH level and while buffers in our saliva work to neutralize pH levels, the process is slow.
What happens in a mouth with a reduced pH level? Teeth are demineralized. In other words, the hard enamel that protects the soft inner ...

Exciting Month at Hansen DentistryHey Everyone!
What an exciting Month at Hansen Dentistry! I enjoyed meeting everyone who came to the office during the last week of May and the month of June. Building relationships is the best part of my job. I feel incredibly blessed to have the opportunity to be your dentist. After years of looking for the right practice to join, I know I have made the right choice coming to Hansen Dentistry.
Several patients have asked how we came to find out that the Simpsons were selling their practice. My family and I go to church with the Simpsons. They actually approached us when they heard that were ...